Overcoming Frustration

Frustration is a mindset birthed out of spiritual lack and erroneous interpretations of life’s experiences. The word itself has the following meaning: (1) to bring to nothing, to stop short, refusing to go on and to be filled with dissatisfaction due to unresolved problems or unfulfilled needs; (2) it is blighted hope or failure of expectation; (3) frustration is a mindset that says “forget it” and (4) it is also a mindset that keeps an individual from ever coming into the fullness of his or her ministry or learning contentment in all things. (Dr. Banks’ Expository Dictionary)

Many saints become very frustrated with themselves when they cannot seem to move ahead. Untiringly, they spend hours trying to do the things they believe will motivate God to move on their behalf. Frustration and discouragement then begins to evolve when God does not move and all their efforts seem to be futile.

You may be serving very faithfully in your local assembly. You may even be involved in the administrative duties of the church, give to charities, say all the right things, pray and even fast. However, you must realize these things alone will not motivate God to move in your life. It is a righteous purpose and a pure heart that gets God to move for His people.

Frustration will keep you from ever understanding your experiences. But without experiential knowledge, there can be very little, if any, spiritual growth. The following is a list of some of the situations or circumstances that may cause frustration in your life.

TRIALS AND OFFENSES

Often, painful, fleshy and emotional afflictions are not attributed to the work of the Holy Ghost in building character. Instead, it has been conveniently laid to the charge of the devil. It is religiously acceptable to believe that the enemy is working against us and interfering with our acquisition of natural things.

Apostle Paul told us in Philippians that he learned how to be abased and how to abound. His circumstances never changed his love for the Father. He had peace and contentment in whatever state he found himself. Can you truly say you are not resentful of hard trials and tribulation? You see, you have plans and strategies that do not include some far-out trial that serves to disrupt the flow of things. It simply has to be the devil working against you.

Here is the truth: Tribulation works patience and the trying of our faith is more precious than gold. These are the principles we cannot afford to forget when trials come our way. Jesus said that trials or offenses will come and all who name the name of Christ would experience them. I remember Jesus saying things to the disciples and then explaining why He told them the things He did.

And now I have told you before it comes to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe (John 14:29). This is the principle you should keep before you. The Word of God reveals the truth regarding things you will experience in your walk of faith. These things are revealed as principles that must be fulfilled in every believer. The Word speaks to you of the trying of your faith; and then the trial comes. This forecasting was done so that you might believe and know that the Father is mindful of every experience you encounter.

Why are you so frustrated with trials and offenses? Do you not read the scriptures? Are you not attending a church that teaches the principles of our faith? Or perhaps you are simply ignoring the truths you have learned. In any case, Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing that happened to you. But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified (1 Peter 4:12-14).

The conclusion of the matter is this: Either you will embrace the truth in the passage above, or you will continue to walk in frustration, feeling sorry for yourself and blinded by trials that are meant to confirm the effectual work of grace in your life. Agree with God and you will begin to experience the peace of God in the midst of each trial or offense.

HOPE DEFERRED

I have seen so many people become frustrated from having embraced promises made by men in the name of the Lord that were never fulfilled. Many have stood on a word spoken to them, confessed it and believed in their hearts that God was going to perform some materialistic miracle. But, because it was not in His purpose for their lives, it never happened. Hope deferred maketh the heart sick (Proverbs 13:12).

When something you expected to happen does not happen, the soul becomes sick with disappointment and frustration. Many have prayed for the sick and afflicted, believing in the healing power of God, but do not realize that He often heals according to His purpose and sovereignty.

Therefore, when the sickness progresses or the sick person dies in the midst of all the praying, trusting and believing, the believer is left with no recourse but to try to justify why this happened. However, without a revelation of the truth, their explanation adds confusion to the situation. Consequently, they become frustrated and oftentimes offended with God.

THE PURSUIT OF PROSPERITY

Millions of saints have given substantial offerings expecting God to reward them with tremendous financial returns that just never seem to materialize. They ignorantly continue to believe this to be the method God wants to use to give them the wealth of this world. The truth is you have no right to believe God for something He never promised you.

Some of the wealthiest businesses in the world are religious organizations. However, the Holy Ghost will not use false doctrines and erroneous mindsets to bring universal prosperity to the household of faith. Instead, the Church is charged with setting things in their proper perspective.

The saints of God are to give generously and freely to the gospel of the Kingdom. If there were a formula for acquiring the wealth of this world, saints would be the richest people in the world today. This is not the case.

As a result, many saints have become frustrated with formulated religious rituals given to us in the old Faith and Prosperity message that do not work or bring relief to their situations. Many are left with unresolved issues that traditional church sermons are unable to deal with effectively.

The end result . . . frustration in the Church! The Body of Christ has finally begun to re-examine the Prosperity message that has led it into wantonness and false hope for the acquisition of things. The Church has grown sick of the promise of a blissful, wealthy existence on planet Earth during this dispensation.

The sad reality is that the Church really wants to believe in this false doctrine, although down in its inward parts, it senses that such doctrines might not be true. This is evidenced by the work of faith in the life of the believer. It guarantees that any mindset other than the mind of Christ will be revealed (Philippians 3:15).

PROCRASTINATION

Procrastination makes you non-productive both naturally and spiritually. It brings progress to a halt; which can and will have a domino effect on so many things you need to accomplish. Procrastination is not always a result of laziness, although very often it is.

Procrastination can also be the offspring of fear. Some fear facing the situations they have no control over, while others fear tackling tasks that could result in failure of some kind. The problem is they are pessimistic. This is so sad because these individuals will never know what the outcome could have been had they completed the tasks required.

In many cases, the frustrations they suffer could have been avoided had they trusted God beyond their ability to assess the situation or work out the thing they desired to accomplish. Procrastination in cleansing yourself from sin can also bring frustration. Many try to clean themselves up in the prayer closet. Yes, prayer is necessary.

One must seek out the forgiveness of the Lord in order to walk out of any sin. However, the manifestation of purging can only be seen in the midst of trials. A clean heart is seen in the midst of situations, circumstances or relationships, not inside the prayer closet alone.

ERRONEOUS BELIEFS

Some of the things you strongly believe may not be the mind of God. If this is the case, cause your heart to hunger and thirst after righteousness. God promised to fill you. When the truth comes, receive it with gladness. Jesus said we must believe as the scripture has said.

The error in your belief system is not going to change God or the truth. But if you choose to hold on to your traditions, you will live a life of frustration and torment, never able to please the Father.

STRIVING

Your frustration with job, family, friends, finances or ministry may be caused by your lack of knowledge or submission to what your role in each of these situations is supposed to be. You should be a peacemaker in every situation or relationship. This means you will in no way interfere with what the Holy Ghost wants to accomplish in any area of your life or in the lives of others.

If there is frustration in any area, it is because you are striving to make your will survive. Think about this carefully. You may be doing all that you can in a situation and, still, it does not seem to change or may even get worse.

You may seem handicapped in other areas and cannot even do those things you know you are capable of doing. It might be true that if you are not able to do what needs to be done, there will be great loss, hurt, disappointment or some other negative occurrence.

In either case, it is time to stop and come to reality: you belong to the Father and He is in control of every area of your territorial sphere of influence. He knows the mental and spiritual disposition of all those you must deal with. He also knows the needs in your life.

CONTENTMENT IS THE ANSWER TO FRUSTRATION

Why has God prolonged the circumstance that have kept you aggravated, unsure and upset? Listen to the testimony of the apostle Paul in

Philippians 4:11-12

11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I aminstructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

How contrary this is to what is being taught in the Body of Christ. Paul is saying that it does not trouble the Father for His children to be abased. The Greek word used here is tapeinoo: to make low, bringing to the ground or a humble condition.

Paul goes on to say he is instructed to be full and to be hungry. What does he mean when he says, “to be hungry?” Will God allow His people to live such a life? Yes, He will! He will take you through periods of materialistic and physical need. Why? So that you might know Him as a provider of all those things necessary to accomplish His will for your life and to maintain a holy walk in this perverse world.

More importantly, you will experience the greatest attribute of all: God’s faithfulness. For it is at those times that patience can have its perfect work. And you will receive strength to go on in the power of His Might.

James 1:4

4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

You are not responsible for making any matter a success. This is the responsibility of the Holy Ghost. Yes, you may see that someone or something is going to be lacking if you or someone else does not succeed. This can cause you to become really frustrated with God’s people. However, your charge in the situation is to give it all that you can

physically and spiritually.

Make sure you maintain a righteous motive and a spiritual disposition that remains within the boundaries of the faith. Once you have done this, it is the responsibility of the Holy Ghost to take the situation to the end. If things seem to be lingering in disarray, look inside of each situation to see what the Lord is trying to teach you about Him or yourself. It is most likely that He is using the circumstance to develop patience, love or sensitivity in you.

Matthew 6:33

33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

The Kingdom of God is righteousness, joy and peace in the Holy Ghost (Romans 14:7). If these things which pertain to our spiritual or natural livelihood are intended for us, then why don’t we have them? Why is the Church so frustrated when God has promised these things? Did God lie? Would He have us frustrated and not able to trust His Word?

The Word of God declares that we must first seek His kingdom and His righteousness, and then all these things shall be added unto us. This is where the problem lies . . . relative to the things promised to us by the Father. If we keep this passage in the context in which it is written, we would discover that the things referred to here are listed in the 31st verse:

Matthew 6:31-33

31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

The Father promised to give us food, drink and raiment. This is all that is necessary for the preservation of the flesh to do His will. However, this passage has been presented to the Church as a supernatural gathering of the wealth of this world to be given to the saints of God.

But what happened to godliness with contentment is great gain? (I Timothy 6:6) Because this is not the dispensation for the wealth of the world to be given into the hands of the saints, many have become frustrated waiting on such blessings to come. They do not realize that will never be the case. Not until the dawn of the new millennium when the Master will return and set up His Kingdom on the earth. It is then that we will rule and reign as the head and not the tail in this great plan of God.

For now, the Kingdom is the domain in which God resides with His righteousness within our hearts. When our hearts are moved toward God in holiness and righteousness, He is then motivated to move for us by providing those things needed to preserve the flesh for service. Don’t allow erroneous interpretations of your experiences to produce frustration, rather than contentment, in the midst of situations or trials.

There are many ministers who are not willing to withdraw from doctrines that are not scriptural: go back to their congregations and confess their error (even after being instructed by the Holy Ghost to do so). If they would submit and confess their error, the Holy Ghost would smile on them and prepare them all over again to be used in His eternal purpose.

Because this is the case for so many, they will have to miss this move of the Holy Spirit. They will watch the new generation that is fearlessly submitting to the revelation of the Kingdom's message. Beloved, don’t let this be your end. Submit to God. Shake off the world and worldliness.

Be content with righteousness and the things the Father blesses you with. Fill your inward parts with truth, and I promise you will be able to face whatever is ahead in the days to come.